Symptoms

Patella fracture may cause:

Sudden, excruciating pain in the kneecap

Swelling, bruising, and tenderness

Inability to extend the knee

Difficulty walking

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. The doctor will look closely at the knee to see if there are signs of
fracture
. A straight leg test may be done.

Images can evaluate your knee and surrounding structures. These may include:

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best
treatment plan
for you. Treatment options include the following:

Nonsurgical Approach

After the tests, your doctor will determine whether you need surgery. If the patella is not badly injured, your doctor will place the knee in a
cast
. This cast may need to be worn for 6 weeks. After that, you will wear a knee brace and do physical therapy. You may need to use a
cane
or crutches.

Your doctor may recommend medication to reduce swelling and pain.

Surgery

If the patella is in pieces, then you will need surgery. There are two kinds of surgery that are commonly used to treat this injury:

Patellectomy—Rarely, the doctor removes part of the kneecap or the entire kneecap.

After surgery, you will need to do physical therapy. This can involve range-of-motion exercises and
stretching
. You will slowly build strength in the injured leg. In some cases, another surgery will be
needed to remove the
pins
and
screws.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.